Time for U.S. to rise

It's safe to say the networks that cover sporting events always try to stay impartial, at least on the surface.

But if NBC ever needed an underdog to rise up, it's this weekend at the Ryder Cup.

"We sure hope so," NBC analyst Johnny Miller said Thursday when asked if he thought the three-day competition would come down to a drama-filled Sunday.

"For years, it was like Hollywood got involved," Miller said from Straffan, Ireland. "We've just been blessed with great matches and great emotions. People crying, jumping, dancing, singing."

Of course, Miller was referring to the good ol' days -- long before the 2004 massacre at Oakland Hills when Europe pummeled the United States 181/2 to 91/2.

If you stayed around to watch the U.S. squad being spanked that Sunday, then you were in the minority, as ratings sunk to an 11-year low.

And if the Europeans dominate again this year, as expected, then you can bet come Sunday morning most Americans will either be on their way to church or surfing the Internet for pictures of Mrs. Woods.

Indeed, the hopes of an entire nation rest squarely on the shoulders of Team USA.

America has fallen short at one international event after another this year: the Winter Olympics, World Baseball Classic, World Cup, World Basketball Championship.

And we choked again at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

That's why there is more pressure than ever on our boys as they head out to the K Club this morning to take on Team Europe.

With the Europeans winning four of the past five Cups, U.S. dominance in this event has gone the way of plaid knickers.

Not to panic, but our top three players -- Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk -- are a combined 20-28-7 in Cup matches.

"Our team is unbelievably motivated to win," Lehman told the Chicago Tribune. "There's not one guy on the team who is going over there to finish second."

Still, with the U.S. fielding perhaps its weakest team in history, it won't be easy.

So if you're getting tired of seeing the United States being tossed aside like a bag of spinach, perhaps this isn't for you. Try women's soccer or women's softball.

But for those of you who enjoy pure competition, the event just might trump all the other international gatherings that we've been lucky enough to witness this year.

The Ryder Cup can generate great drama, and it's one of the greatest rivalries on the planet. It's also refreshing to see professional athletes playing for pride.

NBC and USA Network will combine to televise 251/2 hours of the matches, beginning at 8 a.m. today on USA.

SNF VS. MNF UPDATE

A few observations from Week 2:

It's clear the architects who designed the NBC studio never met Cris Collinsworth. Because if they had, then they would have noticed the 6-foot-5 former Gator is going to get a real sore back bending over all the time to use that telestrator.

NBC needs to do a better job of showing full replays. It continues to lop off the end of crucial replays, often covering the screen with a huge graphic.

Faux pas of the week again goes to ESPN for reporting all Monday night that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had battled a 104-degree fever that day, only to find out Tuesday that Big Ben's temperature actually was 100.4. Oops.

Hosted by Paul Kennedy, the half-hour show will take a look at what the Magic players, including Dwight Howard and Darko Milicic, have been doing on their summer vacations.

HE WROTE WHAT?!

Did you see where Chicago Sun-Times columnist and part-time ESPN yack Jay Mariotti criticized White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson for -- GASP! -- announcing during Freddy Garcia's bid for a perfect game last week that -- SHOCK! -- Garcia was pitching a perfect game?

According to Mariotti, Hawk should not have talked about the feat before it was completed because some kind of silly jinx.

Ridiculous. In case you've never noticed, Jay, it's the announcer's job to tell viewers what's going on in the game. That's sort of how a play-by-play guy earns his living.

BEST BETS

SATURDAY

CFB: Penn State at Ohio State (ABC, 3:30). This matchup looked more intriguing at the beginning of the season, but then the Nittany Lions went out and got drilled by Notre Dame. Still, anytime the No. 1 team is on the field against a decent opponent, it's worth watching.

SATURDAY

MLB: Florida at Philadelphia (Fox, 1 p.m.). The pennant races are winding down -- or up, if you're an optimist -- and the Phillies are in the thick of the NL wild-card race. The Marlins must be near-perfect the rest of the way to stand a chance.

SUNDAY

NFL: Jaguars at Colts (CBS, 1 p.m.). Jacksonville has looked very impressive against two tough teams -- Dallas and Pittsburgh -- during the first two weeks. And if the Jags can control the juggernaut that is Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis offense, they will become the favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLI.

SUNDAY

NASCAR: Dover 400 (TNT, 1 p.m.). Week 2 of the Chase comes to the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway. TNT analyst Benny Parsons, who is undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of lung cancer, missed last week's race in New Hampshire but is expected back in the booth Sunday.